The Muskingum volleyball team moved up four spots to 11th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll that was released on Tuesday. This marks Muskingum's highest national ranking since 2000. Last week the Muskies were ranked 15th. The AVCA Division lll Top 25 Poll is selected by Division lll head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.
Muskingum is 25-2 and finished the OAC regular season at 8-1 to earn a share of the OAC regular season championship for the first time since 1999. The Muskies are off to their best start since the 1999 campaign when they advanced to both the OAC and NCAA Tournaments.
This season, the Muskies have surrendered just 18 sets, claimed 17 straight-set victories, and recorded a 12-game winning streak. As a team, Muskingum has locked in 1,348 kills, 1,222 assists, 1,823 digs, 146 service aces, and 160 total blocks. The Muskies are currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Division lll in kills per set with 14.07. The Muskies are also ranked 12th in hitting percentage (0.249) and assists per set (12.69). Muskingum is ranked first in the OAC in kills per set (14.04) and hitting percentage (0.246). The Muskies are also ranked second in the league in assists per set (12.73), points per set (17.2), digs per set (18.99), and solo blocks (73). Muskingum is also fourth in the conference in total blocks (160) and blocks per set (1.66).
Junior Brooke Fatheree directs the Muskies with a team-high 307 kills on the year, ranking third in the league with 3.20 kills per set. Fatheree has also dished out 58 assists, 27 service aces, 358 digs, and 31 total blocks. Fatheree has been named the OAC Volleyball Player of the Week twice this year for her outstanding leadership abilities and impeccable work ethic. This season, Fatheree recorded her 1,000th career kill, 1,000th career dig, and moved to fifth all-time in career kills at Muskingum with a total of 1,058.
Junior Erin Dickson has recorded a team-best 831 assists in 90 sets played, ranking fourth in the OAC with 9.23 assists per set. Throughout her two years for the Muskies, Dickson has logged 254 kills, 567 digs, and 105 total blocks. Dickson is currently fourth all-time in career assists at Muskingum with a total of 2,800 assists.
Junior Jessica Cottle secures the Muskie backline with a team-high 480 digs, ranking fourth in the conference with 5.05 digs per set. This season, Cottle recorded her 1,000th career dig against Hiram. Cottle was also named the OAC Volleyball Player of the Week for her performance against Kenyon, Wittenberg, and John Carroll.
Junior Maddie McGee is second on the team with 264 kills, averaging 3.00 kills per set. Junior Brynn Guist has tallied 238 kills, while junior Jada Briggs has amassed a career-high 162 kills. Guist has registered a team-high 71 blocks on the year, ranking sixth in the league with 0.77 blocks per set. Freshman Emma Conrad is second on the team with 212 assists, averaging 2.30 assists per set.
The Muskies next host the Marietta Pioneers on Tuesday, November 5, for a WHITE OUT for the OAC Tournament Quarterfinals. Start time is slated for 7:00 p.m. All fans are encouraged to wear white to the game.